Cheshire Classic

Apr 22, 2011

Women’s Cheshire Classic – 1^st of the womens national series.

A Tale of 2 halves

For myself and Heather this was the biggest profile race we had ever done (hopefully one of many this year). With Heather leaving Plymouth at 4am to drive up to Cheshire and myself at 6am from my Easter holiday, it was certainly an early start. However we arrived in good spirits masking the tired eyes of driving.

With 2 riders having punctures just standing still ready for the neutralisation it was sure to be and an eventful race and that was putting it lightly! A race that was always going to be a lively hammer round the 10 x 7.7km Weaverham/Acton Bridge circuit, with names such as Sarah Storey (Horizon Fitness Prendas), Olympic champion Rebecca Romero (XRT-Elmy Cycles/Orbea) and Corrine Hall (Team Corridori/Specialized), all eyes were looking for a big name victory on the final haul up to the finish line.

Not knowing what to expect from this high profile race myself and Heather went more with the thought as to see how this race would take us  and enjoy the experience, getting to know what the National Series was all about rather than have a race plan.

In hindsight this was just as well. Within the first lap there were at least 5 punctures  and just as the race was getting going Heather unfortunately punctured at the top of the first climb. A big blow with only 5 miles into the race! As Heather got her mind set in for a 50 mile time trial, I however was doing a little better. Although I had dropped off the main peloton I was comfortably sat into the main chasing group gradually picking up more and more riders. With punctures coming thick and fast on the opening couple of laps the service cars ran out of spare wheels, before it was found there were a box full of tacks on the start of the Acton climb.

However my luck was soon to end when we noticed a car over taking us which then pulled in very close a quick after loud bang and broken driver’s side wing mirror. It came to our attention very quickly that this car had hit 2 riders from the main peloton who were coming down the otherside of the carriage way!  As we came around the roundabout we approached 3 riders on the floor who were quickly being assisted, resulting in a hospital visit for Fern Cotterill and Jersey’s top rider – Kimberley Ashton.  We then did one more lap before being stopped and regrouped by the race officials.

The race was stopped until the police accident investigation had been completed which took around 45 mins.  Following the accident the race was restarted with two laps deducted because of the delay. With riders abandoning because of the hold up the now reduced field were on a mission and only the strongest girls managed to hang on to the blistering pace being set by Horizon Fitness’ Penny Rowson who had strung out the rest of the field shedding small groups out of the back.  Having restarted, this was definitely the opportunity for Heather to get back in the race and she managed to stay with main peloton for a far longer than the first time round.  However for me, racing on cold legs (along with everyone else) I just couldn’t get going again and warm up to a pace as quick as I was doing earlier and my race slowly died death! Unlike the earlier start where Heather was out the race time trialling and I was giving it a good bash,  our roles had now reversed!

Punctures were now minimal since the supporters cleared away the offending objects of tacks. Unfortunately former team mate, Alli Holland, did end up with puncture but decided that seeing as she was out the race she would fall back and give Heather a hand in raising her race position in the final laps! Cheers Alli!

With three laps to go it was Sarah Byrne (VC St Raphael) who picked up the pace at the top of the Acton climb but the main group were digging deep to hold on, by the bell the front of the field were grouped together and that group were to stay together for a bunch gallop to the line; but it was Motorpoint’s Lucy Garner who shot from the middle of the pack to claim the victory.

With a 60 rider start list, Heather came in at 30^th just behind 2008 Woman’s National Hill Climb Champion, Lynn Hamel, and 3 riders behind Sarah Storey OBE! Congratulations Heather! I came in at 46, a bit disappointing really but I know exactly what training to do before this race next year. Had it not been for the restart this placing would have been higher! C’est la vie!

Sorrelle Le Cornu

Pictures are at links below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcyclingphotos/sets/72157626516813246/show/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ckingimages/sets/72157626518520538/show/